Islamabad West; Acid Attack Victim Child’s Case Referred to Forensic Medicine

Mahan Askari, a child resident of Islamabad West, became a victim of acid attack in April 2018 while only 11 years old on his way to school, and passed away in July of this year. The medical file of this acid attack victim has been referred to forensic medicine, and it is stated that if forensic medicine announces findings regarding the cause of death and confirms the direct or indirect effect of the acid attack on his death, this case will be considered as intentional murder. Acid is one of the few products whose market for buying and selling in the country has never declined. In addition to the ease of access and procurement of acid in Iranian markets, the lack of sufficient preventive laws has also contributed to the continuation of the crime known as “acid attack.” According to Hrana news agency, the news organ of the Association of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the medical file of Mahan Askari, the child victim of acid attack, has been referred to forensic medicine.

Mahan Askari became the target of an acid attack in April 2018 when he was only 11 years old on his way to school. The perpetrator of the acid attack, whose face was covered, with the help of another person and by motorcycle, fled the scene but was arrested by law enforcement officers shortly after. The acid attacker at the time of the incident was a 23-year-old man who was working at an auto repair shop and had taken the acid from his workplace.

Mahan Askari, who suffered burns on his face, part of his head and back, passed away on July 21 of this year after undergoing dozens of reconstructive surgeries. According to an informed source, following this incident, the child’s lymph glands suffered serious damage and his immune system was weakened, ultimately resulting in his death.

It is stated that if forensic medicine announces findings regarding the cause of death and confirms the direct or indirect effect of the acid attack on his death, this case will be considered as intentional murder.

Mahan’s father had previously expressed dissatisfaction in a report about the lack of preventive laws regarding acid attacks and the absence of organizations supporting acid attack victims.

Acid is one of the few products whose market for buying and selling in the country has never declined. In addition to the ease of access and procurement of acid in Iranian markets, the lack of sufficient preventive laws has also contributed to the continuation of the crime known as “acid attack.”

Although a law on the punishment of acid attack crime was passed in 1958, and in addition to that, the general provisions of the Islamic Penal Code can be used in criminalizing this inhuman act, evidence and indications suggest the ineffectiveness of existing laws in preventing it.

In late May 2019, five of the seven articles of the bill to increase punishment for acid attacks and support victims were approved by representatives in an open session of parliament. After amendments were made to the articles of this bill, finally on October 12, 2019, representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly in an open session reviewed and amended the bill to increase punishment for acid attacks and support the resulting victims, which had been returned from the Guardian Council. In November 2019, after approval by the Guardian Council, this law was sent to the Ministry of Justice for implementation.

Source: Hrana